Floating island promotes nesting for terns and other species

Orange County Water District biologist Dick Zembal, left, and environmental planner Dan Bott spread brushy cover on a floating island the district has created on the Santa Ana River in Anaheim. The floating habitat is for endangered least terns and other birds to nest upon. It is not vulnerable to damage from changes in the water level. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Orange County Water District biologist Dick Zembal, left, and environmental planner Dan Bott spread brushy cover on a floating island the district has created on the Santa Ana River in Anaheim. The floating habitat is for endangered least terns and other birds to nest upon. It is not vulnerable to damage from changes in the water level. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
With a boat full of brush to be used as cover, Dick Zembal and Dan Bott paddle out to the floating island. Officials hoped the island would be the home of endangered least terns, but it supports a colony of Forster's terns instead. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dick Zembal, left, and Dan Bott paddle a raft as they return from placing some brush for cover on the floating island. The 3,500-square-foot island is Zembal’s invention. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
An endangered least tern sits on eggs in an enclosure on the shore of the Burris basin. The water district plans to turn the area into a 2 1/2-acre island. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Aboard the floating island habitat, a spunky Forster's tern chick fends off an American avocet. The more aggressive Forster's terns have colonized the island while colonies of least terns are nesting elsewhere in the basin. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dick Zembal identifies bird species on the floating island. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The feisty Forster's tern chick fends off the American avocet. The floating island is anchored at its four corners with cement-filled trash cans that rest on the bottom; the island can be raised or lowered to match water levels using winches at each corner. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dick Zembal, left, and Dan Bott spread brushy cover on the floating island. The floating habitat is not vulnerable to damage from changes in the water level. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
An endangered least tern soars over its nesting area in an enclosure on the shore of the Burris basin. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
An endangered least tern takes flight from an egg on which it had been sitting. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dick Zembal checks on an endangered least tern chick that appeared to be about two days old. "It's unique for a colony of shore birds to be this far inland ... in the shadow of Anaheim Stadium," Zembal said. "They're here for the fish. The place is undisturbed and sandy like the beach." JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dick Zembal holds an endangered least tern chick. Zembal said that because of its exposure to predators, the Burris basin is not an ideal nest site. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
According to a water district biologist, this killdeer has been trying to hatch a speckled rock, mistaking it for an egg. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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